Weight controlled volumetric filling mechanism



April 11, 1950 c. E. PALMER 2,503,295

7 WEIGHT CONTROLLED VOLUMETRIC FILLING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 15, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Charles E. Palmer BYMfw/ $4M WATTORNEY April 11,1950 c. E. PALMER 2,503,295

WEIGHT CONTROLLED VOLUMETRIC FILLING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 13, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 REVERSING MOTOR INVENTOR (J'fiarles E Palmer ATTORNEYPatented Apr. 11, 1950 WEIGHT CONTROLLED VOLUMETBIC FILLING MECHANISMCharles E. Palmer, Chicago, IIL, assignor to Frank D. iPalmer,Incorporated, a corporation oi Illino Application November 13, 1945,Serial No. 628,232

7 Claims,

This invention relates to packaging machinery and more particularly tomeasuring equipment constituting a part of a packaging machine formeasuring out a selected amount of material for introduction into apackage or container.

Material measuring devices of the character indicated are of coursequite well known in the art, and many of the devices known are of anadjustable character so that the amount of material to be delivered maybe varied within certain limits. The variation provided is usually forthe purpose of insuring the delivery of-anacourately measured quantityof material rather jthan for the purpose of providing substantialchanges in the quantity to be delivered, although-{ing some cases thelatter is also the purpose ofgproviding an adjustable measuring means. V

Material measuring mechanism. shown in Palmer Patent No. 2,309,209,issued January 26, 1943, represents one form of measuring mechanism.Such mechanisms are generally characterized as volumetric fillingdevices in that they determine the amount of material to be delivered byvolume rather than by weight. Most foodstuffs, and many otherpreparations, are required to be packaged so as to contain a specifiedweight of material. It is, of course, possible to relate the weight ofmaterial to the volume thereof and, as a practical matter, suchmaterials have heretofore been packaged by measuring a volume ofmaterial which should normally weigh the required amount.

In the practical art of large volume packaging of various materials, theweight of the filled packages is checked by more or less periodicallyselecting from the line of filled packages a single package and weighingit on a scale. Any correction in the amount of material which thechecking operation indicates to be necessary, is then manually effected.The manual adjustment of the capacity of the measuring receptacle ismore or less a matter of guess work notwithstanding the possibility ofcalibrating the adjusting mechanism to indicate the extent of change bya given movement of the adjusting means. This is at least partially theresult of normal variation in the density and changes in othercharacteristics of the material being packaged.

The object of the present invention is to provide means forautomatically checking the weight of a filled package at regularintervals and to automatically effect adjustment of the measuring meansto correct any inaccuracy in the weight of the material delivered to thecontainers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood byreference to the following specification and accompanying drawings (twosheets) wherein there is illustrated the elements of a selectedembodiment of the invention.

e disposed 2 In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a cross sectional viewillustrating the principal details of the material measuring means andthe arrangement whereby its capacity is adjustable;

Fig. 2 is a perspective illustrating more or less diagrammatically themeans for periodically checking the weight of the filled packages, andfor initiating appropriate adjustment of the 1111- mg means.

The mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 is of the general character of thecorresponding mechanism shown in the above-mentioned Palmer patent. Itcomprises a hopper or pan I which is vertically adjustably mounted on acentrally shaft 2. At its center, the pan I has an upwardly projectingexternally threaded hub 3 which threads into a screw threaded socket 4which is secured to a motor driven shaft 5. The shaft 5 is journalled ina bearing 6 provided in a normally stationary frame part I and it isconnected through the agency of a flexible coupling 8 to a reversibleelectric motor 9. Thrust bearings I0 and II are provided on oppositeends of the bearings 6 for engagement with the adjacent end of the hubof the flexible coupling 8 and of the socket 4 respectively, the shaft 5being thereby freely rotatable in its bearing while being held againstlongitudinal shifting.

It will be seen that when the motor is energized, the shaft 5 and socket4 will be rotated in one direction or the other to thereby effectcorresponding upward or downward adjustment of the pan I.

Powdered, granulated or flaky material or the like is discharged fromthe pan I through a depending spout I2. The spout I2 together with asleeve I3 and a valve plate It constitute a measuring receptacle whichdetermines the volume of material to be delivered to a container.Scraping devices are provided within the pan I for moving material inthe pan across its bottom and into the measuring chamber, the scrapingdevices being stationary if the pan I is rotatable as in theabove-mentioned Palmer patent, or rotatable if the pan is non-rotatable.The scraping means being known in the art is not herein shown.

The bottom plate or valve plate I4 is carried by a frame I5 which islaterally movable. The plate It is of somewhat elongated form and isprovided near one end with an opening which, when brought into alignmentwith the measuring chamber will permit the material therein to drop outof the chamber into a spout I 6 and a vertically movable spout extensionI I and thence into a container I8. The means for shifting the valveplate I4 back and forth may be similar to that shown in the said Palmerpatent and, forming no part of the present invention, is not hereinillustrated. The spout member I! is vertically from the edge of theconveyor 2 I.

23 and 24 are connected by means of a rigid arm slidably mounted on aguide rod l9 and it may be caused to reciprocate by a suitableconnection to cam or other means for operating the spout member in thedesired timed relation to the delivery and removal of containers fromfilling position. It is preferable that the spout I1 is under the upperportion of the container, as shown in Fig. 1, to avoid spilling ofmaterial outside of the container.

By moving the pan up or down, the total height of the column of materialreceived within the spout l2 andsleeve |3 will, of course, be changed tothereby alter the volume of material measured by said measuring means.

As represented in Fig. 2, containers l8 are delivered into fillingrelationship to the spout part II by means ofa conveyor belt 2|. At asuitable point beyond the filling point, there is provided a plunger 22which is suitably actuated at predetermined intervals so that it willengage and force a package from the conveyor 2| to a platform 23 atpredetermined intervals. The intervals may be such that every tenth orevery twentieth package, or any other selection of packages, will bedischarged from the conveyor belt to the platform 23. The platform 23constitutes one of the platforms of a balance scale, the other platformof which is indicated at 24 and the fulcrum for which is indicated at25. The table element 25 may be provided intermediate the conveyor belt2| and the platform 23 if it is desired to space the platform 23substantially The platforms 21 and an upstanding arm 28 is provided, thearm 28 being similar to the usual pointer of a balance scale. At theupper end of the arm 28 there is provided an electrical contact member29.

The contact member 29 is adapted to engage any one of two series 30 and3| of electrical contact segments in a member 32. The member 32 ismounted for rocking movement on a pivot or fulcrum 33 so that the planeof the surfaces of the contact segments 39 and 3| may be moved to andfrom the contact 29. Normally the member 32 is spaced from the contact29 so that the balance scale may freely adjust itself in accordance withthe weight of a package delivered to the platform 23. A counterweight,such as indicated at 34, may be placed on the platform 24, thecounterweight being of course the required minimum weight of the filledpackage.

The member 32 is provided with a laterally extending arm 35 which may bemade of iron or equipped with an iron insert'so as to be capable ofbeing actuated by an electromagnet 36. When the magnet 36 is energized,the armature 32 will be rocked to move the contact segments 30 or 3|into position for engagement with the contact element 29.

when a package is delivered to the platform 23, the arm 21 will becaused to rock somewhat; that is to say, it will not immediately come toa stationary position but will usually waver up and down somewhat in themanner of the ordinary balance scale. To permit freedom of movement ofthe balance arm and to delay electrical contact between the contactelement 29 and contact segments 3|! or 3|, there is provided a timer 3'!connected in the electric circuit to the magnet 36.

- of weight of The timer is controlled by an electric circuit whichincludes a switch 38 which is adapted to be closed by being engaged by alug 39 or the like, carried by the plunger 22 when it is moved for--termined standard,

wardly sufficiently to deliver a filled package to the scale platform23. when the package is delivered to the platform 23, the switch 38 isclosed so that a circuit will fiow through the electrical conductor lineindicated at 48, the branch line 4|, through the switch 38, and the line42, to the timer and thence through the lines 43 and 44 to the otherside 45 of the power source. The timer being thus energized and being ofa known construction will, after the lapse of a predetermined interval,effect energization of the magnet 36, the circuit flowing then from theline 49 through the branch 46 to the magnet and thence through the line41 through the timer and from the timer through the lines 43 and 44 backto the power source 45.

The time interval at which the timer 31 is set will be such that it willallow the passage of the time required for substantial settling of thebalance arm 21 and its contact carrying arm 28. The contact element 29will thereby be brought into engagement with one of the contact elements30 or 3|, depending upon the shortage or excess the filled package overthe required minimum weight. The contact segments 39 and 3| arerespectively connected by electrical lines indicated at 48 and 49 to atimer 59 which has connections 5| and 52 with a reversing electric motor9.

Assuming, for example, that the contact element 29 is caused to engageone of the contact segments 39, the circuit will then be through thelines 40 and 53 to the reversing motor 9 and from the reversing motorthrough the line 5| (or 52) through the timer and one of the lines 48 toits segment 39 and through the contact element 29 and arm 28 to the line54 and back to the other side 45 of the source of power. The/timer 59serves to regulate the time period for which the reversing motor 9 willremain energized, the time period being dependent upon which of thesegments 3!! (or 3|) is contacted by the contact element 29. The greaterthe variation in the weight of the filled package from the predethegreater will be the time period for which the reversing motor 9is-energized.

In the arrangement shown, if the package is overweight contact will bemade between the contact element 29 and one of the commutator segments3|, through the timer and one of the lines 5| or 52 to cause the motor 9to rotate in the proper direction to reduce the capacity of themeasuring means comprising the spout I2 and sleeve I3. Similarly, if thepackage is underweight the contact element 29 will engage one of thesegments 30 to cause the motor 9 to rotate in the other direction so asto increase the capacity of the said measuring means.

By the described arrangement, the filled packages may be checkedautomatically at frequently recurring intervals of any desired selectionand appropriate adjustment automatically made in the capacity of themeasuring means. In some cases, when the characteristics of the materialbeing packaged vary considerably as the material is being delivered tothe receiving pan the motor 9 may be caused to operate with suchfrequency that the pan I will hardly have time to remain stationary butwill be of a more or less floating character in that it will beconstantly adjusted up or down as the characteristics of the materialvary. If the characteristics of the material are quite constant, themotor 9 will perhaps be sel- 73 dom energized and there will be butlittle adascaaas justment efiected of the capacity of the measuringmeans.

In the illustrated arrangement, only three commutator segments 3%.? andthree commutator segments 3! are illustrated, this illustration beingmerely exemplary. The number of segments on each Side of the commutatormay, of course, be increased considerably depending upon the closenessof adjustment it is desired to effect by the automatic means described.The greater the number of segments, the smaller the increments of timerepresented by each additional segment.

Various changes may be made in the described arrangement withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an adjustablecapacity measuring receptacle arranged to deliver a quantit of materialmeasured thereby to a container, weighing means for receiving the filledcontainer to check the filled weight thereof, means controlled by saidweighing means for effecting adjustment of said measuring receptacle tochange its capacity to cause it to deliver a measured volume of materialhaving a weight within a predetermined narrow range of limits, andtiming means for eifecting operative connection of said weighing meanswith said adjusting means after the passage of a predetermined timeinterval from the delivery of a filled container to said weighing means,whereby said weighing means will have time to settle before initiatingadjustment 01 said measuring receptacle.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination 01 an adjustablecapacity measuring receptacle arranged to deliver a quantity of materialmeasured thereby to a container, weighing means for receiving the filledcontainer to check the filled weight thereof, an electric motor connected to said measuring receptacle for eifecting adjustment of thecapacit thereof, and electrical connections between said weighing meansand said motor for closing a circuit to energize the motor, saidconnections including a timer for causing said motor to be energized forvarying time periods dependent upon the extent of variation from apredetermined standard of the filled container weight determined by saidweighing means.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an adjustablecapacity measuring receptacle arranged to deliver a quantity of materialmeasured thereby to a container, weighing means for receiving the filledcontainer to check the filled weight thereof, a reversing electric motorconnected to said measuring receptacle for effecting adjustment of thecapacity thereof, said weighing means having a contact element movablein opposite directions in accordance with the variation of the filledcontainer weight from a predetermined standard, a member having a pairof contact segments respectively adapted to be engaged by said contactelement when the filled container weight is above or below saidstandard, and electrical connections between said segments and saidreversing motor to cause the motor to operate in a direction to changethe capacity of said measuring receptacle in accordance with thedetermined variation 01' the filled container weight from said standard.

4. In apparatus 01' the class described, the combination of anadjustable capacity measuring receptacle arranged to deliver a quantityof material measured thereby to a container, weighing means forreceiving the filled container to check the filled weight thereof, areversible electric motor connected to said measuring receptacle foreiiecting adjustment of th capacity thereof, said weighing means havinga contact element moveble in opposite directions in accordance with thevariation from a predetermined standard of the filled container weightdetermined by said weighing means, a member having two multiple contactsegment sets respectively adapted to be engaged by said contact elementwhen the filled container weight is above or below said standard, andelectrical connections between said segments and said reversing motor tocause the motor to operate in a direction to change the capacity of saidmeasuring receptacle in accordance with the determined variation of thefilled container weight from standard, said connections including atimer which is set to determinate the time period of operation of saidmotor in accordance with the contact segment engaged by said contactelement.

5. Apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein there is also providedtiming means for delaying the passage of an electrical current from thecontact element to any of the said segment sets until the weighing meanshas settled.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an adjustablecapacity measuring receptacle arranged to deliver a quantity of materialmeasured thereby to a container, electrically operated means forefi'ecting adjustment of said measuring receptacle to change itscapacity, weighing means arranged to receive the filled container,timing means controlled by said weighing means for effectingenergization of said electrically operated adjusting means for varyingthe periods of time to thereby effect varying degrees of adjustment ofsaid measuring receptacle in accordance with the extent of the weightvariation of the filled container from a predetermined standard.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an adjustablecapacity measuring receptacl arranged to deliver a quantity of materialmeasured thereby to a container, electrically operated means forefiecting adjustment of said measuring receptacle to change itscapacity, weighing means arranged to receive the filled container,timing means controlled by said weighing means for effectingenergization of said electrically operated adjusting means for varyingthe periods oi time to thereby efi'ect varying degrees of adjustment ofsaid measuring receptacle in accordance with the extent of the weightvariation of the filled container from a predetermined standard, andanother timer associated with said weighing means so as to delaenergization of said adjusting means during a predetermined timeinterval after the filled container is received by said weighing means.

CHARLhe' E. PALMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

